Cushing Quick to Learn the Ropes as a Rookie in the Spotlight

Brian Cushing is in the house with a deal, but let’s just say it wasn’t that easy for the the Texans’ first-round draft pick to get from the west coast down to Houston. Cushing, wanting to impress his new team, flew from Los Angeles to Houston on Saturday and signed his contract about 7 a.m. Sunday.

“It was driving me crazy. It was stressful,” said Cushing. “It’s part of the business, I guess, to get the deal all worked out and everything. You just want to get back on the field, get better and ready for the season. I’m here now and that’s what’s important.”

Cushing was right there on the field with the first team on Sunday, playing outside linebacker. Teammate DeMarco Ryans was quick to try and show Cushing the ropes

“What I told him to do was just take it slow,” Ryans said. “Let everything come to you, don’t try to do it all at once. There’s a lot on your plate. It’s asking a lot to come in and just get going right off the bat.”

Cushing will have plenty of time to learn, but his position coach thinks that being in the limelight for the past few years will prepare him for what lies ahead.

“He went to USC, so he’s used to the spotlight,” said linebackers coach Johnny Holland. “It’s not too big for him, and that’s one of the reasons we drafted him. He’s played some big-time games, he’s been on national-championship teams, so we’re excited to see what he brings to the table for us.”